Re: Yesterday GHT, today an ADHD diagnosis, what a week! - JODI

December 14, 2005

,

Max started meds when he was 5. Dr. H. encouraged us to do it, even though

we did not want to put him on another med. But he was so unfocused while in

the mainstream kindergarten class in the mornings (he was in a self-

contained class in the afternoons) that we really had no choice. I even went

in to observe him in school and saw how necessary it was. He did not have

explosive and angry behaviors, just inattention. The anger and such did not

start until he was older.

I agree that Colin probably holds it in all day long and then at home feels as

if

he can let go. So many kids do that now. What you have to consider is how

he feels about this behavior, if it is affecting his self-esteem and his

relationships with family members and the stress it places on you when he

does this. If the answer if that he is negatively affected, then you might want

to

consider meds in the near future. This is such an important time in a child's

life. So much learning both socially and academically goes on now - even

when he is not in school. Many parents think that as long as things are okay

in school, there is no need for meds. That is not correct, however. And, I'll

bet

anything that there are signs at school and the teacher is just not telling you

or is not recognizing them. Many teachers will just brush it off, figuring that

it's

just who Colin is.

Many RSS kids do have PDD-like tendencies and that is part of the anger and

explosive behavior. Straight meds for ADD don't necessarily help that. You

need a good psychiatrist or neurologist to explore this and make

recommendations. They do not to therapy, which is why you see people

talking about psychiatrists. Most do meds only. Therapy is done with a

psychologist or social worker.

Please feel free to email me privately and we can discuss this further. You

don't want things to advance and get more complicated and then be at wit's

end, either. I don't always agree with the attitude that some doctors have of

waiting until the child starts school. As I said, there is other learning going

on

at home and you don't want him to miss out. Plus, as those behaviors

continue, they become more engrained and more difficult to supress.

Jodi Z

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